Nogales, Nogales

Mexico lies just a one hour drive south of Tucson. Nogales in Sonora might not offer the beauty and charm of other Mexican cities, but it certainly has plenty of opportunities for souvenir shopping and Mexican lunches. It's a frontier town, mirrored by another Nogales on the Arizona side of the border. If you just want to explore the town without venturing further into Mexico, you won't even need a passport, leave your car in a daytime parking lot on the US side,and just walk across the border. Most of the prime shopping is centered around Avenida Obregon. The best bargains are in folk art, ceramics, leather goods and hand-blown glass, but be aware that you'll be expected to dicker, which can usually be done in English.